For decades, American foreign policy has recklessly resulted in mass death and displacement, dehumanization, and seemingly endless wars. We cannot allow taxpayer funds to go to war crimes, whether those crimes are committed by American soldiers, contractors, or our allies. Countries and militaries that receive financial assistance and weapons from the United States must abide by that simple principle if they want to continue receiving American aid. Otherwise, Congress and the State Department must work to ensure that, as per the Leahy Act, allies are investigated for their conduct and military aid is rescinded.

My commitment to overcoming authoritarianism doesn't stop at American borders. The rise of right-wing leaders with authoritarian aspirations is not simply an American phenomenon. Global peace means not bowing down to authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin or Viktor Orbán, as Donald Trump and his cronies have done.

Trump and Elon Musk's dismantling of critical USAID programs and other foreign assistance threaten millions and must be immediately restored. Trump's funding cuts to one HIV prevention program alone have already caused an estimated 28,000 deaths and counting and undermine American global leadership on human rights and basic morality.

I believe in holding our allies accountable, even when it's inconvenient. For too long, the United States has let allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia commit egregious acts with American taxpayer-funded weapons. I am a proud Palestinian-American, but people of all backgrounds and ethnicities should be disturbed by our government's complicity in Israel's 58-year-long illegal occupation of the West Bank and the ongoing attacks on Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, including infants and children. My foreign policy centers people, not the governments or groups claiming to represent them. I wholeheartedly support the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza and a permanent ceasefire that sets the stage for peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

We must also strengthen our relationships with allies closer to home, reaffirming our friendly relations with our closest neighbors. Donald Trump's threats to annex or invade Canada are completely unacceptable and threaten the rules-based order that American diplomats and elected leaders should be promoting. Likewise, buying Greenland or annexing the Panama Canal must be completely off the table.